The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) by adding 2,094 MW of solar module capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity under ALMM now stands at 58,422 MW. SAEL Solar P6 (SAEL Solar) contributed 2,065 MW, and Grew Energy contributed 29 MW to the added capacity. The updated list removed ITI, Jyotitech Solar, SunField Energy, and Suryakamal Energy and delisted their capacities. Ganesh Green Bharat, with an enlisted capacity of 131 MW; Unique Sun Power, with an enlisted capacity of 43 MW and 200 MW applied capacity; and Credence Solar Panels, with 500 MW enlisted capacity and 500 MW applied capacity, have been added to the provisional list.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued draft guidelines for implementing rooftop aero turbines with or without solar. RAT is a small-scale wind energy project installed on rooftops to generate electricity by harnessing wind power. The turbines are designed to operate in urban or suburban environments where wind speeds are typically lower and more turbulent than in open areas. The draft is titled ‘KERC (Implementation of rooftop aero turbine with solar or without solar) Regulations, 2024. RAT with solar will be included in the Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy 2022-27.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has clarified that the ALMM Order will not apply to open access and net-metering solar power projects if certain approvals were secured before October 1, 2022. The approvals include: In-principle approval from relevant authorities No objection certificate from the distribution licensee or state transmission utility government orders about the project Any other approvals required under state or union territory policies or the rules and regulations set forth by the central or state electricity regulatory commissions. This exemption covers approvals made to distribution licensees, state transmission entities, state load despatch centers, and nodal agencies responsible for renewable energy. The ALMM mandate was reimposed on April 1, 2024. The order on reimposition, however, did away with the exemptions for projects under open access and rooftop solar by private parties announced earlier.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has introduced the fourth amendment to its 2020 regulations, expanding the eligibility for transmission charges waiver by adding Renewable Energy Generation Systems based on offshore wind to the list of energy sources, which already includes hydropower generation. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2024, came into effect on October 9, 2024. The amendment also removes the reference to “Hydro Pumped Storage Plant Energy Storage Systems ,” refining the criteria for projects that qualify for transmission charge exemptions.

JSW Energy PSP Two, a subsidiary of JSW Energy, has signed an energy storage facility agreement with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to supply 1,500 MW/12,000 MWh of power from pumped hydro storage projects. The agreement covers a 40-year period, during which JSW Energy will receive a fixed capacity charge of ₹8.47 million (~$100,743)/MW/annually. The Bhavali Pumped Hydro Project, located in Maharashtra’s Nashik and Thane districts, will offer an 8-hour discharge capacity, with a maximum continuous discharge of 5 hours. The project is set to be completed within 48 months.

Renewable energy engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services provider Oriano Clean Energy has been awarded an EPC contract to build 184 MW solar projects in Agar, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh, by Blueleaf Energy, a pan-Asian renewable energy platform. The scope of work includes design, engineering, supply of the balance of photovoltaic equipment, installation, testing, commissioning, and civil construction works, including 33/ 220 kV PSS switchyard, 33 kV interconnecting lines, and a 220 kV transmission line.

The global renewable energy sector is experiencing a rapid expansion, but it still falls short of the global ambition to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. According to the Renewables 2024 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable capacity is expected to increase 2.7 times by 2030, surpassing government targets by nearly 25%. However, this growth is not enough to meet the target set by nearly 200 countries during the COP28 climate summit. Additional policy improvements are needed to address gaps in grid integration, financing challenges, and the deployment of renewable fuels like hydrogen and bioenergy.

A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) on the electricity generation costs of various power plants in Germany has indicated that photovoltaic (PV) systems produce electricity at a cost lower than coal or gas-fired power plants, even in combination with battery storage. According to the study, ground-mounted PV systems and onshore wind turbines, with costs of €0.041/kWh-€0.092/kWh, are the most cost-effective technologies in Germany, not only among renewable energy but also among all types of power projects. The LCOE for PV systems ranges between €0.041 and €0.144/kWh, depending on the type of system and solar irradiation. System costs currently range between €700/kWp and €2,000/kWp and have mainly increased for small systems.

The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority has invited bids to develop an estimated 450-500 MW solar park on the Bundelkhand Expressway on a build-own-operate model. The last date for submitting bids is November 15, 2024. Bids will be opened on November 18. The Bundelkhand Expressway spans 296.07 km, with the designated land for the solar project comprising 15-20 meters on both sides of the carriageway, including slope and loop areas near major junctions. A total of 1,700 hectares is available.

NTPC has invited bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 100 MW/400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at NTPC Ramagundam, Telangana. The last date for submitting bids is November 22, 2024. Bids will be opened the same day. The scope of work encompasses the design, engineering, supply, packaging and forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, installation, and commissioning of the BESS with a discharge capacity of 100 MW and 400 MWh.

New Delhi-based solar module manufacturer Gautam Solar has announced plans to expand its solar module manufacturing capacity to 5 GW by 2025 at its facility in Bhiwani, Haryana. This expansion will occur in three phases. The first phase is set for completion in November 2024, followed by the second and third phases in January and April 2025, respectively. Additionally, the company has outlined a ₹10 billion (~$118.96 million) cell expansion plan with further growth funded through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), anticipated in the next 12-18 months. The technology used in the cell facility will be N-type TopCon. The IPO will drive the company’s plan to set up a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing plant to bolster solar module production and achieve the 5 GW target within the stipulated time.

Gensol Engineering has bagged a $22.21 million contract to install rooftop solar systems of a total capacity of 23 MW in Dubai. A sustainable development and clean energy development company in the United Arab Emirates awarded the company the contract to design, construct, operate, and maintain rooftop solar systems for the engineering facilities of an aviation company. The project will be executed over 20 months.

Government-owned lender Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency has reported a profit after tax of ₹3.88 billion (~$46.7 million) during the second quarter (Q2) of FY 2024-25, reflecting a year-over-year (YoY) growth of 36.18%. It recorded ₹16.3 billion (~$196 million) in revenue from operations, a 38.52% increase from ₹11.77 billion ($141 million) in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. The company also made strides in asset quality, with its net non-performing assets decreasing to 1.04%, down from 1.65% in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. As of September 30, 2024, the company’s net worth stood at ₹93.36 billion (~ $1.12 billion), demonstrating a 41.87% YoY growth. Loan approvals reached ₹87.24 billion (~$1.05 billion), a 205.88% increase from ₹28.52 billion (~$343 million) in the same period last year.